Acetylene generator



July 30,1935. M. P. DE 'MOTTE 2,009,543

ACETYLENE GENERATOR Filed Jan. 11, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet l y 1935- M. P. DE MOTTE I ACETYLENE GENERATOR Filed Jan. 11, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTOR i' 1935. M. P. DE MOTTE 2,009,543

ACETYLENE GENERATOR Filed Jan. 11, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 wjmwdvgfl,

ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 30, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT opt-loo 2,009,543 soarmm: ammon Maurice P. De Matte, Indianapolis, Ind., Y I to Oxweld Acetylene Company, a corporation of West Anruoou n nuol-y 11, lsaafls'orm Nations:

-22 Claims.

vide an acetylene generator of the ebb-and-ilow,-

generator hasbeen adjusted will be maintained substantially uniform throughout the life of a charge of carbide or until the pressure is manu- 20 ally varied,

Other aims, objects, and novel features, will.

be apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrations, in which:

Fig. l is a vertical section of my improved generator showing the mechanismior both manually and automatically controlling the pressure ofthe gas generated thereini.- f

Fig. 2 is a side view oi' my complete generator showing the mechanism on the outside of the ank;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section along the line H of Fig; 1 showing the construction of the carbide holder and its support: and,

Fig. 4 is a side view'ot the top of the generator showing the position of the interference rods.

My invention pertains especiallyto acetylene generators of the ebb-and-flow, water-feed type, having a closed tank and a chamber with an open bottom within the tank. 'Both the tank and chamber are partially filled with water leaving an air space in the tank and a gas space in the chamber above the water which seals the space between the tank and chamber.. Carbide is carried in a suitable container within the chamber. As gas is generated in the chamber the increase in gas pressure lowers the water level in the chamber and raises the water level in the tank therebycompressing the air above it. As the gas isused from the chamber water flows from the tank back in the chamber until it rises to a point where it comes in contact with the carbide when more gas isv generated.

Generators 01 this general type originally had 65 the top of the tank open so the water therein was exposed to the atmosphere. This iormiot senerator has been very successful, but when the top of the-tank wasclosed to'increase the pressure oi the generator trouble was encounteredin start- 7 ing the generator and in controlling the pressure or the generated gas. One method of overcoming this diillculty was to illlthe ireshlyoharged generator with water up to a particular-point and then pump air 'into.the top of the tank until suiiicient water-was forced up into'the chamber in 10' contact with the carbide to generate the desired gas pressure. This method of starting the generator was unsatisfactory unless it was located where a supply or compressed air was available, and, even then, the gas pressure varied considl5 erably during theme of a charge of carbide.

The preferred form of my improved device by means of which thesejdiflicultles areovercome is shown in the accompanying drawing and it comprises a generator which consists essentially" 01' a tank having an'outer sheet steel shell I and an inner gas generating chamber 2 which-makes a gas tight Joint with the outer shell at The outer shell isprovided with a' steel bottom d, an agitator assembly I, a water overflow valve I, and a residue valve I. The gas generating chamber 2 is provided withja gas deflectorsheet l and a gas outletpipe l which passes to the outside)! the generator through'gas tight openings it and u inthewallsoithechamber mannersspectively. A removable top casting I2 is boltedto mangle iron ring I! which is welded to the outer shell I of the generator. A rubber gasket M is provided to make'a gas tight-joint. An opening II is providedin the top casting II for filling the generator withwater and for charging thegenerator with carbide. A charging door I. is clamped over the opening I! by means 0! a hinged cross bar I], an eyebolt l8, and a-handwheel II. The

jointbetween the door II and the top casting I2 is made gas tight by theme of a rubber ring Sasket 2|. 3 I Carbide, preferably in the tom of disintegrable molded carbide cakes n, is contained in holders 2|. Theholders are provided with open wire bottoms 22 to permit the residue to sift through the openings therein as the carbide becomes-exhausted. Covers 23 are also provided for the holders 2| -to prevent moisture that is condensed on the top casting or charging door from dripping on the charge oi carbide in the holders. The carbide holders are inserted into the generator through the opening ll into a rotatable carrier ring whichissupportedatitshub aw helical spring 63 that rests on a support or nut 28 which is threaded upon a vertical shaft 21 suspended from a bearing plate 28 by a washer 29 and a nut 36.

Extensible means for holding the nut, 26 against rotationcomprises a restraining sleeve 3| fixed to the nut 26 and extending downward around the shaft 21, andterminates some distance below the lower end of the shaft. A cap 32 is fixed to the lower end of the restraining sleeve 3i and provided with a square hole at the axis thereof which loosely engages a square guide bar 33. This guide bar is supported on a horizontal cross member 34 which is welded to the sides of the generating chamber 2 at 35. A guide sleeve 36 fixed to the nut 26 extends upward around the shaft 21 and inside the helical spring .63:and hub 25 of the carrier ring 24. Excessive upward movement of the carrier ring 24 is arrested by a collar 31 which is fixed to the upper end of the guide sleeve 36 above the carrier ring 24.

,The vertical shaft 21, which is axially movable, is rotated in the nut 26 by a handwheel 38 mounted on theouter end of a spindle 39. This spindle passes through a stufilng box 40 disposed in an opening near the top of .the outer steel shell i of the tank. The drivingmechanism includes a pair of cooperating helical gears, one of which is pinned to the spindle 39, and the other of which is indicated at 4 l and pinned to the vertical shaft 21. The square guide bar 33 holds the nut 26 against rotation so that a vertical movement may be imparted to the nut 26 when the shaft 21 is rotated. Therefore, the charge of carbide may be moved either up or down, with respect to the chamber 2 and the shaft 21, by turning the handwheel 38 in the proper direction so as to move the nut 26 and carrier 24 vertically along the shaft 21.

On the outside of the generator the gas outlet pipe 3 is connected to a hydraulic flash back arrester 44 through a pipe 42 and swing check valve 43. In order to use the gas from the generator proper, a hose or outlet pipe may be conrester 44. The generator is fitted with the usual generating chamber relief valve 46 and hydraulic flash back arrester relief 'valve 41. Provision is made for automatically filling the hydraulic flash back arrester 44 with water through a valve 48 and pipe 43 which is connected at 56 to the tank I. The water valve 48 is opened simultaneously witl'rthe water overflow valve 6 by the operation of a filling lever 5i. Inorder to insure the relief valves 46 and 41 .being opened before the generator is otherwise opened, an interference rod 52, which extends vertically through openings in brackets 52 and 52" secured to the wall of outer shell I, is provided. A quadrant plate 53 made integral with the filling lever ii is arranged to prevent the water valves 6 and 48 from being opened unless the relief valves 46 and 41 are open. An additional interference member 54, extending above the interference rod 52 and controlled by rotation of the feed spindle 39, is arranged to prevent the relief valves 46 and 41 from being manually opened unless the carbide containers 21 are raised to the upper limit of their range of travel above the water level inside the generator.v The interference in a plate 51', which is made integral with a charging door interference handle 51. handle is pivotally mounted on the cover i2, and when the rod 55 is in the position shown in Fig. 4, the handle 51 is in a locked vertical position in the same vertical plane with the handwheel l3. By this construction, the charging door. l6 cannot be opened while the rod 55 is in an interfering position, so that the operation of the generator cannot be interfered with while a charge of carbide is positioned within the generating chamber to generate gas. A pressure gauge 56 is provided to indicate the pressure of the gas within the generator.

In the operation of charging, the generator water is introduced through the opening l5 at the top of the generator until it overflows through the open valve 6, the hydraulic flash back arrester 44 being simultaneously filled to the level of the plug 53 in the sidethereof. The carbide containers are filled with disintegrable molded carbide cakes which are inserted through the top of the generator into the carrier or holder ring 24 and then the generator is closed.

Acetylene'is generated by manually turning the hand wheel 38, thereby lowering the carbide charge to. the level of the water in the generato As the carbide is immersed in the water, generation of acetylene takes place, and the accumulation of gas in the generating chamber 2 lowers the .water level therein and raises it in the outer tank i, thereby compressing the gas in the compression chamber 62 above the water in the tank. The operating pressure of the generator is thus dependent upon the position of the charge of carbide in the generatingchamher or bell 2, and this position may be manually varied and controlled by means of the external pressure control hand wheel '33. The essential parts of the generator are proportioned so as to make it impossible to generate gas at a pressure greater than 15 lbs. per square inch; which is the maximum permitted by the Underwriters Laboratories for medium pressure portable automatic acetylene generators.

In some forms of the generator the spring 63 may be dispensed with and the carbide carrier 24 supported directly by the nut 26.. In the'operation of this generator it has been found, however, that the efi'ect of rise in temperature due to the action of water on the carbide and rise in water level due to the accumulation of residue in the water in the generator, results in a gradual pressure rise throughout the life of a charge of carbide. When spring 63 is used, however, this objectionable rise in pressure is overcome as the height of the carbide carrier is varied automatically according to the amount or weight of the carbide. With a fresh charge of'carbide in the generator, the spring 63 is compressed so that the carbide carrier, with thecharge of carbide therein, occupies a lower position with respect to the bell than when the charge of carbide is exhausted. As the charge becomes exhausted its weight becomes less, thereby exerting less pressure on the spring, which is consequently compressed to a lesser degree so that the carbide holder with the charge of carbide therein gradually rises with respect to the chamber during the life of the charge of carbide.- In the particular generator shown and described herein the carbide holders, when fully charged, ride at a level about 2 inches lower than they do when empty. In other words, for a given setting.of

Thisaooasss 1 the pressure control hand wheel a; theespansion of the spring 63 causes the carbide contain-,

'withinthe generatorthroughout the life of a charge 0! carbide.

While I have shown and describedra particular' embodiment of myinvention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from my invention and I, thereiore, aim in the appended claims to cover all such modiflcationsas fall within the true spirit and scope 01 my invention.

' 1. The combination with a'n-acetylene generator having a closed tank and a generating-cham-g ber within said tank; oi means'including a movable element for supporting: a charge :or carbide within said chamber; automatic meanscoacting. with said movable element for varying the position of the charge of carbide within said chamber; and a single means capable of vertically bodily moving said movable element and said automatic means coacting therewith.

ber within said tank; of means including a movable element for supporting a charge or carbide within saidchamber; automatic means coacting with said'movable element and variations in weight of said charge or carbide for varying the position thereofwithin said charnher; and a singlemeans operable from the out-' side of said chamber for vertically bodily moving said movable element and said automatic means coacting therewith. v

3. In an acetylene generator having a tank adapted to containwater'and a generating chamber within said tank; a vertical shaft at the axis of said chamber; a plurality of removable carbide holders at the surface of said water supported by said shaft and rotatable therearound; means for partially immersing said holdersin said water; said generator having an eccentric opening in the top thereof through whichrsaid carbide holders may be inserted and removed; and a removable cover for said opening.

4. In an acetylene generator, having a closed tank adapted to contain water and; a generating.

chamber within saidtank; a .cover closing the top of said chamber; a vertical shaitsupported by said cover at the axis of said chamber; a hub supported by said shaft and rotatable thereon;

a plurality oi! partially submersible carbide holderscarried by said hub and symmetrically arranged around said shait;means for partially submerging said holders; said cover having an eccentric opening therein through which said carbide, holdersmay beinserted and removed; and a removable cover for said opening.

5. The combination in an acetylene generator v having a tank and a generating chamber-within said tank; of a support within said chamber; resilient means resting upon said support; a car-' rier resting upon .said resilient means, one or more carbide holders supported by said carrier and movable therewith with respect to said support by a variation in the weight of the carbide in said holder and a single means for varying the position of said support and said resilient means with respect to said chamber from the outsideoi said generator.

6. An acetylene generator comprising a gencontrolled by the crating chamber; a "single .vertical shaitsup-i ported within said chamber and rotatable irom the outside of. said generator; 0. support on said shaft and axially movable thereon-when the.

shaft. is rotated; resilient means disposed about said shaft abovesaid support and carried theresaidcarrler. v r w. I

'l. .A n acetylene generator comprising a chamber having a gas outlet and adaptedto contain admit water'to the carbide carried thereby; a support iorsaid holders comprising means for partially immersing said holders in said water;

water; chamber having a cover provided 'with antopening; a plurality of carbide holders 1 within said chamber, each having openings to and means whereby one of said holders may be adjusted to'register with said opening in the cover.

8. man acetylene generator having a tank adapted to contain water and a generating cham- *ber in said tank; aplurality of removable carbide holders supported in said generating chamber and provided with respective openings to simultaneously expose the carbide therein to contact with said-water; means for simultaneously 9. An acetylene generator comprisinga generating chamber; axially inimovable'vertical shaft supported within said chamber; means for carrying a charge ofcarbide, means for supporting said carbide-carrying means on said shalt;

resilient'means coacting with saidcarbide, Supporting means for automaticallyvarying the v'er-- silient means along said shaft.

10 acetylene generator comprising a casing havingga removablecover to provide an enclosed, generating chamber; means for carrying a charge 1 of carbide; means including said casing for supporting said carbide-carrying means within said chamber; a single means operable from the out-' 1 side oi said generator for moving said carbide carrying means vertically within said chamber moving said holders int'ocontact with said water; and said chamber having an eccentric opening in the trip through which said holders may be successively inserted and removed.

to control the pressure of the 1 gas generated .means. r

v 11. An acetylene gencrator comprising achamber having a gas outletand adapted to contain water; said chamber havingaco'ver provided therein; and resilient means coactingiwith said i. carbide supporting means to maintain the preswith an opening; a plurality. of carbide holders adjustably supported within said chamber "and having openings to admit water therein to contact the carbide carried thereby; and means whereby any one of saidholdersmay be adjusted to register with said opening in the cover.

12. An acetylene generator comprising a cham-,

ber having a gas outlet and adapted to contain water; said chamber having a cover provided with a charging o n ng; a plurality of carbide holders adjustably supported within said chamber and adapted to be removed therefrom through opening in the cover.

said opening; such holders having openings to admit water therein to contact the carbide car-; ried thereby; and means whereby said holders are severally. adjustable to register with said 13. In an acetylene. generator comprising-a generating chamber and a compression chamber; a quantity of water in said generator partially filling said chambers and forming.a liquid seal *therebetween; one or more carbide holders vertically movable in said generating chamber; a single means operable from the outside of said generator for manually lowering. said carbide holder into said water to generate acetylene in to raise said carbide holder as the water level in the generator is raised by the accumulation of carbide residue therein so as to maintain a substantially' uniform pressure in the generator throughout the life of a charge of carbide.

14. The combination with an acetylene gen- I erator having a and a generating chamber 65. 3 in said chamber and projecting through said within said tank; of means for supporting a charge of carbide within said chamber; means manually operable from the outside of said generator for varying the height of said carbide supporting means with respect to said. chamber;

and automatic means controlled by the variation in weight of said charge of carbide for varying the height of said carbide supporting means with respect to said chamber. I

. 15. The combinatlon with an. acetylene generator having a tank'and a generating chamber within said tank; of means for supporting a charge of carbide within said chamber; automatic means controlled bythe variation in weight of said charge of carbide for varying the height of said carbide supporting means with respect to said chamber; and means manually operable from the outside of said generator for varying the height of both said automatic means and said carbide supporting means chamber.

16. In an acetylene generator having a tank and a generating chamber within said tank; a rotatable shaft supported in a vertical position within said chamber; a nut threaded upon saidshaft; a carbide holder supported by said nut; means for'holding said nut against rotation;

and means for manually rotating said shaft from the outside of said generator.

17. In an acetylene generator having a tank and a generating chamber within said-tank; a

rotatable shaft supported in a vertical position within-said chamber; a nut threaded upon said shaft; a carbide'holder'supported by said nut;

a sleeveattached'to said nut; a cap having a square opening therein carried by said sleeve; a square guide bar supported in fixed position withopening; a carbide holder supported by said nut; and means for rotating said sha'ft from the outside of said generator.

with respect to said- 18. In. an acetylene generatorhaving a tank and a generating chamber within said tank; a

rotatable shaft supported in a vertical position withinsaid-chamber; a nut threaded upon said shaft; a carbide holder supported by said nut; means for holding said nut against rotation; a driven gear-fixed to said shaft; a driving gear meshed with said driven gear; a spindle fixed to said driving gear and extending outside of said generaton'means for providing a gas tight joint between .saidspindle and the wall of said generator; and a handle fixed to said spindle by 1 means of which it may be rotated.

19. In an acetylene generator having a-tank 'and a generating. chamber within said tank; a

.shaft; 9. carbide holder supported by said nut; a

spring between said nut andsaid carbide holder; means for holding said nut against rotation; and

means for manually rotating said shaft.

2l.-In-, an ebb-and-fiow, water-feed, acetylene generator having a tank and a generating chamber within said tank; a rotatable shaft supported by a wall of said chamber ina fixed vertical position therein; a nut threaded upon said shaft; a carbide holder loosely mounted upon said shaft above said nut; a compressible spring surrounding, said shaft between said nut and said carbide holder; extensible means for holding said nut against rotation having a portion thereof attachedto a wall of said chamber; and means for rotating said shaft having a portion thereof extending outside said generator for manual oper'ation. I

22. In an ebb-and-flow, water-feed, acetylene generator having a tank and a generating chamber within said tank; a vertical shaft within said chamber and carried thereby; a nut threaded upon saidshaft; a restraining sleeve fixed to said nut and extending downward therefrom around said shaft and below the lower end thereof; a cap having a square axial opening therein fixed to the lower end of said sleeve below the lower nd of said shaft; a square guide bar carried by said chamberin axial alignment with said shaft and extending loosely through the square opening in said-cap; a guiding sleeve fixed to said nut and extending upward therefrom around said shaft;

a compressible helical spring surrounding said 

